The University of Kentucky KGS Well Sample and Core Library was constructed at its present location in 1996 and opened following the dedication in 1998 after several delays in construction. Initially, approximately 2.6 acres of land was acquired and assigned to the project. Phase I of the construction resulted in 12,000 square feet of offices, public viewing area and laboratory space, a 12,000-square-foot mezzanine, and a 24,000-square-foot warehouse to accommodate part of the collection.
Phase II of the project was scheduled to begin within 2 years and would complete the unfinished area, a 48,000-square-foot warehouse with covered dock facilities and driveway and an adjacent garage. Because of budgetary constraints and a lack of funding, Phase II was never implemented. Continued financial uncertainty has delayed completion of the project. Expansion is expected when economic conditions improve. The Kentucky Geological Survey along with its Advisory Board is working to identify and secure funding to expand the library to archive the entire collection.
At the present time, the facility is filled to capacity, with every aisle between the rows of pallet racking filled with pallets of core, some double and triple stacked.
Well Sample and Core Library staff are in the process of assessing the entire collection and considering disposal of duplicate and unidentifiable cores. The library is still soliciting and accepting cores with unique characteristics and of significant geologic and economic importance. Well cuttings requested by the Kentucky Oil and Gas Division are also accepted and are retrieved from Collection Stations, located throughout the state. During the past 5 years, 2.6 million feet of well samples and cores from 842 wells were added to the collection. More than 1.2 million feet of holdings were examined for research and exploration.
The cost for expansion and equipment for the KGS Well Sample and Core Library is estimated to be $5.2 million.
ESTIMATED EXPANSION COST
| University of Kentucky site survey plat
of Well Sample and Core Library.
| Site plat showing Well Sample and Core Library
property line and placement of facilities.
Comments from KGS 2010 Unit Review Committee: “The expansion of the core facility should be made a high priority within the university. A plan for state or private fundraising should be developed to achieve this aim”.